site.btaDemocratic Bulgaria Chair: State Budget Creates Corruption Opportunities for the Government

Atanas Atanassov, Chair of Democratic Bulgaria and Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) MP, told a press conference here on Saturday that the risk for the state budget is that corruption opportunities are opening up for this government, and mechanisms for old corruption schemes are becoming possible again. Another CC-DB MP, Yordan Ivanov, also spoke at the press conference.

According to the DB Chair, even though GERB leader Boyko Borissov is no longer the prime minister, the regular government is restoring his power and the power of his party. Atanassov said that one of the reasons that he voted against this budget is that it opens a corruption hole of BGN 7 billion, which at the end of the year will prove to be a surplus and will be redistributed to "companies that we already know." He was adamant that CC-DB as the opposition will be monitoring the work of the government to try and crack down on corrupt schemes.

The MP believes that the apparent turmoil in the ruling coalition is just for show, and the government feels comfortable to "play with both MRF's, as one secures the votes, while the other one secures appointees in the regulators." He was referring to a rift within the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), which became evident in August 2024, which resulted in the parliamentary group splitting into two new parliamentary groups – Movement for Rights and Freedoms - New Beginning and Democracy, Rights and Freedoms.

Atanassov further criticized the government for being dominated by Russophiles. He added: "We hope that Prime Minister [Rosen] Zhelyazkov will take the necessary actions for Bulgaria to be an effective member to ensure European security and to participate in decision-making at the European level, including participation in projects that strengthen security in Europe."

The MP noted that Bulgaria's entry into the euro area is a national priority that will be implemented. He shared his belief that the dramatic change of the security environment in Europe facilitates Bulgaria's entry into the eurozone.

Ivanov said that a meeting between Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov, NGOs, mayors and municipal councillors will be initiated in the Plovdiv Regional Administration in order to discuss the problems of transport connectivity between Plovdiv and the region. He spoke about the village of Trud, which is just 1 km away from the city, however, there is no public transport that connects the two. Ivanov believes there is an opportunity to develop transport on the market principle. He reported that there are some 2,800 people who have an interest in having a transport system developed. The MP wants to hold an off-site meeting of the parliamentary Committee on Transport and Communications to draw attention to these problems.

The participants in the press conference said that about 15% of the civil service should be cut, and working retirees should be dismissed, as they are stopping young people from getting staff opportunities.